EX Ruby & Sapphire (TCG)
EX Ruby & Sapphire (Japanese: ADV 1: Advanced Adventure) is the name given to the first Expansion of cards and Theme Decks to be released by Nintendo and the first expansion to feature Generation III Pokémon of Hoenn.
Set Size
- 109 cards in English release
- 64 cards in Japanese release
Sequence
- 16th English Expansion
- 18th Japanese Expansion
A gap was created due to Wizards of the Coast combining e-Card 2 and e-Card 3 to form Aquapolis, and combining e-Card 4 and e-Card 5 to form Skyridge. Therefore, the English releases were two behind in number.
Release Dates
- 31st January 2003 - Japanese Expansion
- 18th June 2003 - English Expansion
Trivia
- This is the first set to be produced under Nintendo's new lisence. Some say that this is the best thing to happen to the TCG, as Nintendo have brought a new dimension to the game and given the opportunity for so many more players to become involved, especially with the introduction of Pokémon Organized Play.
- This was the first set to introduce Generation III Pokémon to the TCG from the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games. This is also where the Expansion and Theme Deck names originated.
- The English prefix "EX" referrs to "extra", as in the extra power the newly introudced Pokémon ex bring to the game. This is the first set to feature Pokémon ex.
- The Japanese prefix "ADV" referrs to "advanced", as in the new generation of Pokémon brought to life with their release onto the Game Boy Advance. It is possible this is where the names for the anime series Pokémon Advanced, and the following seasons Advanced Challenge and Advanced Battle originated.
- The card layout once again changed: -
- The borders became thinner and only supported room for one Dot-Code bar at the bottom. The Japanese card borders changed to a silver color while the English remained yellow.
- The cards were presented with a new circle pattern, which features on the left side of the card.
- The character window and evolution graphics changed from gold to silver and the Illustrator name moved from the bottom left corner to the bottom of the character window.
- In the English release, the Energy symbols for attacks are smaller and are presented linearly (as the Japanese cards have always featured), as opposed to stacking them in columns.
- In Japan, this was the first set to have Preconstructed Half Decks released alongside the main set, a new trend in Japan intended for quick and competitive play. Unlike the English Theme Decks, the Half Decks had their own symbol, numbering system and included cards exclusive to that Half Deck. For the English release, the cards exclusive to the Half Decks were combined with the cards in the main set.
Theme Decks
Half Decks
Card List
English Expansion